This Friday the 13th, we consider ourselves lucky to have seven of North America’s preeminent wine critics honour our wines with 90+ ratings over the past year! See a small sampling of what Paul Gregutt with Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Beppi Crosariol from the Globe & Mail, Daenna Van Mulligen with Vines Magazine, Tim Pawsey with North Shore News & Quench Magazine, Rick VanSickle with Quench Magazine, Julianna Hayes with Okanagan Sunday / Daily Courier, and the renowned wine author John Schreiner have to say…
- Sauvignon Blanc 2014 – 90 points, Beppi Crosariol: “Township 7’s new winemaker, Mary McDermott, hit the ground running in 2014 after moving to the Okanagan Valley from a tenure at Trius and Thirty Bench in Niagara. This is expertly crafted sauvignon blanc from a fine growing season, displaying excellent texture and weight thanks in part to partial fermentation in oak. It starts with punchy, pulpy grapefruit and lime and develops intrigue with notes of gunmetal and invigoratingly bitter citrus rind. Crisp and balanced. Perfect for seafood on the grill or with young cheeses.”
- Muscat 2014 – 91 points, Daenna Van Mulligen: “Pretty, pristine, tangy. I was thrilled to see another delicious and dry Muscat coming out of a Naramata Bench winery. It comes from the Rock Pocket Vineyards on Oliver’s north bench. This is the first vintage of this slow, cool fermented 100% stainless steel aromatic beauty. Honey drizzled apricots, white raisins and citrus blossom aromas lead to a tangy palate with lemon/lime and stone fruit flavours. Focused, pristine and lengthy with racy acidity.”
- 7 Blanc 2014 – 90 points, Daenna Van Mulligen: “Fragrant, weighty, balanced. Made of estate Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Muscat from Oliver. It is a fragrant melange of orchard fruits, peaches muddled with honey, citrus, rose and exotic spice. The palate is oily and weighty with wonderful concentration and flavours of orchard fruits, tangerine peel, honey, lanolin and fine spice. Very nicely balanced and perfectly suited to spicy dishes.”
- Chardonnay 2014 – 90 points, Tim Pawsey: “Forward, lifted apple and pear notes with a touch of vanilla, followed by a fresh palate. Tropical, stone fruit and a burst of citrus. Very clean and food-friendly: try white spring salmon or scallops with a little citrus butter.”
- Pinot Gris 2014 – 90 points, John Schreiner: “This wine was fermented in stainless steel for three weeks at 14C in order to preserve the fresh fruity notes. It begins with aromas of pears and apricots. Generous on the palate, the wine has flavours of apples and lime. The wine is crisply dry with a persistent finish.”
- Gewürztraminer 2013 – 90 points, Paul Gregutt: “Although this wine is described as slightly off dry by the winery, for most palates it would be perfectly dry, though just slightly rounded off to eliminate any suggestion of sourness. Lychee, pineapple and grapefruit flavors abound, underscored with refreshing minerality. That vivid acidity carries through a resonant, lively finish.”
- Rosé 2014 – 91 points, John Schreiner: “This is 95% Merlot, with five per cent of Muscat to lift the aroma and the fruit flavours. The wine, which has a pale salmon hue, has aromas of strawberries and cherries. The superb weight of this wine takes one by surprise. This is a dry rosé but the fruit flavours are full and intense. The finish is refreshing.”
- Merlot 2012 – 90 points, John Schreiner: “This wine is a generous mouthful of vibrant flavours of black cherry, black currant and vanilla, with attractive red berry aromas. The long ripe tannins give the wine good weight and length.”
- Reserve 7 2012 – 91 points, Paul Gregutt: “The smoky, spicy aromatics lead into an intriguing Bordeaux-style blend that is dominated by Merlot (70%). Well-defined, dense and balanced, its flavors are stacked vertically, supple and tight, with berry, cherry, plum and chocolate interwoven. Tannins are firm and smooth. Drink now through 2025.”
- Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 – 91 points, Rick VanSickle: “Sourced from fruit grown in the Black Sage Bench vineyard from the classic 2012 vintage in the Okanagan Valley, the nose shows rich cherry, mulled plums, anise, currants, saddle leather and layers of oak spice. It’s juicy on the palate with rich red fruits, firm tannic structure and lovely toasted baking spices all balanced out by a firm beam of acidity. One to hold for 5-10 years.”
- Cabernet Franc 2012 – 91 points, Julianna Hayes: “For those who love Cab Franc (myself included), its signature earthy, spicy character is the bomb and this version delivers. Loaded with aromas of rich blackberry, plum, vanilla, roasted vegetables, pepper, cocoa and woodsy notes. Good depth on the palate with a peppery finish and a solid backbone of tannin.”
This past year, we’ve also been honoured to receive outstanding reviews from many other great palates, who do not use the 100 point rating scale. A shout out to wine critics: Neal McLennan at Western Living Magazine, Kurtis Kolt at the Georgia Straight, Tom Firth at Culinaire Magazine, Barb Philip at CBC Radio, and south of the border to Eric Degerman at Great Northwest Wine Magazine. Cheers!
